Art in the Christian Tradition

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Title:

River God Tyne

Notes:

This image does not literally show the act, but still illustrates the story of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. This photograph shows a statue called River God Tyne on the side of a building in England. The image fits with the story of the foot washing because, when turned on, the statue has water flowing from the hand, and the water flows over the feet. Even though the water is not turned on at the time of this photo, you can see where the water has flown from the brilliant brown and blue colors resulting from the statue’s reaction to the water.

Thus this image shows a foot washing that occurs again and again and again. Every time the statue is connected, water flows over the feet. And every time it rains, water pours over the feet, washing the dirt away, just as Jesus does for his disciples. But with this statue, the beautiful colors are only visible when there is no water flowing. The water turns the statue a dull gray, seeming to wash away the beauty. But instead, after the water has dried, there is evidence of where the water was, evidence that the feet have been washed. The beautiful blues and browns, the oxidation from the water that has flown over the statue, show that these feet have been touched and washed by God. -- Jackie Twedell

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